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Still running Windows 7 or earlier? Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14th 2020. Please review the thread here for more details.
Problem with reformatting Acer laptop
- Thread starter Gibbo
- Start date
- May 7, 2013
- 10,400
Do you know if the drive was encrypted using Bitlocker or anything similar?
Are you trying to recover any files from the laptop or do you just want the HDD formatted and completely blank?
If the latter, try KillDisk - Format HDD (low level format) - KillDisk
Regards. . .
jcgriff2
If the latter, try KillDisk - Format HDD (low level format) - KillDisk
Regards. . .
jcgriff2
Deejay100six
Sysnative Staff
..........or DBAN (Dariks Boot and Nuke)
- May 7, 2013
- 10,400
Yes, it will completely format the drive and leave it empty with no data including the Windows 7 installation.
Ah ok so theres no way around this?
- May 7, 2013
- 10,400
It depends what you're trying to do, are you just trying to recover some files or do you want to format the drive? You mentioned in your first post that you wanted to reformat it.
Please follow the steps listed in Method 2 here - Fix -The Drive Where Windows Is Installed Is Locked (6 Ways)
Y E S.
However, you are allowed to create ONE set of [backup] DVDs (or possibly a USB copy) of the OEM version of Windows that came pre-installed on your system when purchased new.
So, if you have not yet created such a copy, either look up your system manufacturer and model number and try to find the owner's manual or simply just post your system manufacturer and model number information (if laptop, obtain the model number from the sticker on the bottom of the system) and we'll find the information on creating the DVD(s) or USB (if permitted) for you!
I would allow us to at least help - but it is your call.
Anyway, the idea is that after formatting your HDD, you can then use the DVDs/USB to reinstall Windows 7 onto your system.
Last question,please - any reason as to why you want the hard drive disc formatted? You can just run the option to "restore the system to factory settings/defaults" which would leave your system like it was the day you opened the box and first powered it up. It would have the same net effect of formatting the drive and reinstalling the pre-installed Windows 7 onto it - and be a lot safer in regards to assuring that something does not go wrong with your pre-installed copy of Windows 7. I have had several occurrences where I created the Windows recovery DVD(s) only to find out later that they did not work for *whatever* reason.
Regards. . .
jcgriff2
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